JP4622325B2 - Image forming apparatus and control program for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control program of the image forming equipment Contact and image forming apparatus downloads the latest program from the host device, particularly, an image formation so as to perform the download of the program in a short time by switching the communication speed a control program of the equipment you and image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, Internet infrastructure has progressed, and driver software download services have increased. As a result, downloading of firmware embedded in hardware has become common.

  Also, printers or copiers that are OA (Office Automation) devices can be easily downloaded and updated by end users without customer service. On the other hand, there are many misoperations by end users.

  One of the operation mistakes is that it takes a long time to download, and in many cases, the user misunderstands that the download has ended and the power is turned off even though the process is in progress.

  Conventionally, as a solution to such a problem, a “computer download record, a program download system, a program download device, an image forming device, a program download method, and a program that causes a computer to execute the method described in Patent Document 1” "Media", "Image forming apparatus" described in Patent Document 2, "Image forming apparatus" described in Patent Document 3, "Firmware update method of printer" in Patent Document 4, "Image forming apparatus, Patent Document 5" A serial communication method, a program for causing a computer to execute the method, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded "are disclosed.

  The invention of Patent Document 1 refers to a technique that can automatically resume and complete the download when the power is turned on again when the power is turned off during the program download.

  In addition, the invention of Patent Document 2 can transfer (download) a firmware program from the outside and store it in the nonvolatile memory of the engine control unit, so there is no need to disassemble the device or replace the ROM when changing the firmware program The technology is said to be.

  In the invention of Patent Document 3, since the firmware is divided into blocks and downloaded, only the data blocks required at the time of image formation are downloaded at any time. It mentions the technology that can reduce the capacity.

  Further, the invention of Patent Document 4 does not require rewriting of a module that has not been changed or modified, so that the time required for firmware update can be shortened and the convenience of the user can be improved. The technology is mentioned.

Further, the invention of Patent Document 5 can prevent the response time from being lowered by changing the protocol between the image forming operation and the firmware change, and can perform highly reliable communication processing. It mentions the technology to become.
JP 2002-175194 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-166883 JP 2001-350601 A JP 2002-351687 JP 2002-358177 A

  However, the invention of Patent Document 1 requires a memory for temporarily storing a program to be downloaded, and has a problem that the time for actually completing the process becomes long because the memory is temporarily saved.

  In addition, since the invention of Patent Document 2 downloads at the same communication speed as that connected at the time of the image forming operation, the time required for the download becomes longer.

  Further, the invention of the above-mentioned Patent Document 3 is characterized in that, in order to download a program in a short time, data is divided and transferred by a protocol used at the time of image forming operation, and is stored in a volatile memory. However, there is a problem that a large amount of protocol is required and a memory must be mounted.

  Further, the invention of Patent Document 4 employs a method of dividing the flash ROM into a plurality of partitions, rewriting only the changed part by comparing the update source and the update destination, and shortening the download. However, this method has a problem that the capacity of the flash ROM needs to be larger than the capacity of the actual program.

  Further, the invention of Patent Document 5 requires a printer engine control unit to implement two types of protocols, which increases the memory capacity. It also improves reliability but does not shorten downloads.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a control program of the image forming equipment Contact and image forming apparatus that allows a short time to download the program by switching the communication speed.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a print controller unit, and a print engine controller unit connected to the print controller unit via a communication unit, and the print controller unit includes: An image data transmission unit that creates image data to be printed and transmits the image data to the print engine controller unit, and a program for controlling the engine unit that prints the image data received by the print engine controller unit Program transmitting means for transmitting to the engine controller section, wherein the print engine controller section is engine control means for controlling the engine section, restart means for restarting the print engine controller section, and restart means. After restart by The mode of the means is between the print mode in which the printing of the image data is performed, and the program transmission mode in which the print mode is the same as the communication means, the communication speed is different, and the program is transmitted from the print controller unit. Switching means for performing switching, and when the mode of the communication means is the program transmission mode by the switching means, the program transmitted by the program transmitting means is received, and the engine control means is configured to receive the engine unit. And a control unit for controlling the switching unit to switch the mode of the communication unit to the printing mode.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the communication speed in the program transmission mode is faster than the communication speed in the printing mode .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the number of communication clocks in the program transmission mode is higher than the number of communication clocks in the print mode.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the print controller unit performs communication check for the communication speed in order from the maximum speed and detects a communication speed at which connection is possible. It further comprises speed detecting means, and the communication speed in the program transmission mode is configured to be the communication speed detected by the communication speed detecting means .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus control program for printing an image forming apparatus including a print controller unit and a print engine controller unit connected to the print controller unit via communication means. image data transmitting means for transmitting the created data to the print engine controller, an engine control means for controlling the engine unit that performs printing of the image data to be sent received print engine controller in the image data transmission unit, Firmware transmission means for transmitting firmware for engine control to the print engine controller unit, restarting means for restarting the print engine controller unit, after restarting by the restarting means, the mode of the communication means, Printing the image data A switching means for switching between a print mode to be performed and a firmware transmission mode in which the communication speed is different from the print mode and the firmware is transmitted from the print controller unit, and the mode of the communication means is switched by the switching means. Control for controlling to switch the mode of the communication unit to the print mode by the switching unit when the firmware transmitted mode is received and stored in the storage unit and stored in the storage unit It functions as a means.

  According to the present invention, since the communication speed in the image forming apparatus (the communication speed between the print controller unit and the print engine controller unit) is switched between the image forming operation and the firmware update, the firmware data is temporarily stored. There is an effect that the firmware download time can be shortened with an inexpensive configuration without adding a memory to be stored (no cost increase).

  Further, by shortening the download time of the firmware, it is possible to suppress an operation error by the user that occurs during the firmware update process.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control program of the image forming equipment Contact and image forming apparatus according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer 201 according to the present invention. If the functions of the present invention are executed, a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) may be used regardless of whether it is a single device or a system composed of a plurality of devices. The present invention can be applied even to a system in which processing is performed through connection.

  FIG. 1 shows a printer 201 to which an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied, and a host terminal 101 connected to the printer 201 via a public line or a LAN.

  The host terminal 101 holds a print control program (hereinafter referred to as firmware) that operates in the print engine controller unit 205 of the printer 201. When receiving a download request from the printer 201, the host terminal 101 starts transferring the firmware to the printer 201. Further, as described above, the printer 201 is connected to the printer 201 via a public line or a LAN. However, the connection is not particularly limited as long as the printer 201 can communicate with the printer 201.

  The printer 201 includes a print controller unit 202 and a print engine controller unit 205.

  The print controller unit 202 receives document data from the host terminal 101, creates a bitmap image for each page, and transmits it to the print engine controller unit 205. Also, the firmware received from the host terminal 101 is transferred to the print engine controller unit 205.

  The print controller unit 202 includes a controller control unit 203 and a controller communication unit 204. The controller control unit 203 is a processing unit that performs overall control of the print controller unit 202. The controller communication unit 204 is a print unit. It is an interface device that controls communication with the engine controller unit 205.

  The print engine controller unit 205 receives firmware from the print controller unit 202 and performs update processing on firmware stored in a flash ROM 210 described later. Based on this firmware control, the operation of an engine unit (not shown) is controlled to form an image on a sheet.

  The print engine controller unit 205 includes an engine communication unit 206, a mode switching unit 207, an engine control unit 208, a data operation unit 209, a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) 210, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 211. The engine communication unit 206 is an interface device that controls communication with the print controller unit 202, and the mode switching unit 207 receives the mode communication request from the print controller unit 202 and the engine communication unit 204. The data operation unit 209 deletes data in the flash ROM 210 or transfers data in the flash ROM 210 to the RAM 2 when receiving an erase request from the print controller unit 202. The flash ROM 210 is a memory that holds a boot program and firmware, and the RAM 211 is used to temporarily store a boot program stored in the flash ROM 210. Memory.

  The flash ROM 210 is a non-volatile memory that can be erased (rewritten) electrically and does not lose data even when the power is turned off. During an image forming operation, the engine control unit 208 performs an image forming process based on control of firmware stored in the flash ROM 210.

  The RAM 211 is a volatile memory that can read / write data and is lost when the power is turned off. As described above, it is used when temporarily storing a boot program or the like stored in the flash ROM 210.

  As described above, the communication between the print controller unit 202 and the print engine controller unit 205 is performed via the controller communication unit 204 and the engine communication unit 206, and the communication method between them employs a clock synchronization method. Communication is possible.

  Next, the operation of the download process in the printer 201 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  2 to 5 show the print controller unit 202 and the print engine controller unit 205 of the printer 201 described in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. .

  In FIG. 2, a mode switching request 301 from the image forming operation mode to the firmware update mode is transmitted from the print controller unit 202 to the print engine controller unit 205. This is an operation request for switching the communication speed between the print controller unit 202 and the print engine controller unit 205 in the printer 201 to a communication clock faster than the communication clock connected during the image forming operation when updating the firmware.

  After receiving the mode switching request 301, the print engine controller unit 205 is restarted under the control of the engine control unit 208 in order to switch the mode.

  In FIG. 3, after restarting, the print engine controller unit 205 stores the boot program 302 stored in the flash ROM 210 by the data operation unit 209 in the RAM 211 in order to rewrite the contents of the flash ROM 210. After the boot program 302 is stored in the RAM 211, the mode switching unit 207 of the print engine controller unit 205 switches the communication clock with the print controller unit 202 to the firmware update mode.

  After shifting to the firmware update mode, the print controller unit 202 transmits an erase request 304 in order to erase the old version firmware (hereinafter referred to as old firmware) 303 stored in the flash ROM 210. After receiving the deletion request 304, the print engine controller unit 205 deletes the old firmware 303 in the flash ROM 210.

  In FIG. 4, the print controller unit 202 transmits the new firmware 306 together with the write request 305 in order to write a new version of firmware (hereinafter, new firmware) 306 stored in the flash ROM 210. The new firmware 306 is a new version of firmware downloaded from the host terminal 101.

  The print engine controller unit 205 receives the new firmware 306 and stores it in the flash ROM 210.

  In FIG. 5, the print controller unit 202 transmits a mode switching request 301 from the firmware update mode to the image forming operation mode in order to switch to the image forming operation after transmitting all the new firmware 306.

  After receiving the mode switching request 301, the print engine controller unit 205 restarts for mode switching. After the restart, the mode switching unit 207 switches the communication clock with the print controller unit 202 to the image forming operation mode.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the communication clock between the print controller unit 202 and the print engine controller unit 205 is switched between the image forming operation and the firmware update, an additional memory for temporarily storing firmware data is added. Without the cost (no cost increase), the firmware download time can be shortened with an inexpensive configuration.

  Further, by shortening the download time of the firmware, it is possible to suppress an operation error by the user that occurs during the firmware update process.

  In the first embodiment, the method for performing the firmware update process by switching to the predetermined communication clock for the firmware update mode has been described. However, in the second embodiment, the communication clock for the firmware update mode is used for the performance of the system. Accordingly, an embodiment configured to automatically select an appropriate communication clock will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 201 in the second embodiment, which is configured by adding a communication clock detection unit 212 to the configuration in FIG. 1 describing the first embodiment. In addition, what attached | subjected the code | symbol same as FIG. 1 which demonstrated Example 1 operate | moves substantially similarly, The description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The print controller unit 202 of the printer 201 shown in the figure is provided with a communication clock detection unit 212 to optimize the communication speed between the print controller unit 202 and the print engine controller unit 205, that is, the communication clock. To do. Specifically, a connection check is performed from a communication clock having a high communication speed, the fastest communication clock that can be connected by the connection check is detected, and the print controller unit 202 and the print in the firmware update mode are detected using the communication clock. Communication between the engine controller units 205 is established.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the communication clock detection process in the communication clock detection unit 212 shown in FIG.

  When the communication clock detection process is started, first, the communication clock between the print controller unit 202 and the print engine controller unit 205 is set to the maximum (step S101).

  The print controller unit 202 performs a connection check using the communication clock set in step S101 (step S102). That is, it is a check whether it is possible to transmit connection check data from the print controller unit 202 to the print engine controller unit 205 and to communicate with the communication clock set in step S101.

  Here, it is determined whether or not response data has been received from the print engine controller unit 205 (step S103). If response data is received from the print engine controller unit 205, communication is possible using the communication clock set in step S101. If no response data is received from the print engine controller unit 205, the response data is set in step S101. It means that communication is impossible with the communication clock.

  If no response data is received from the print engine controller unit 205 (NO in step S103), the communication clock between the print controller unit 202 and the print engine controller unit 205 is lowered (step S104), and the process returns to step S102 again. Perform connection check processing.

  If there is response data from the print engine controller unit 205 (YES in step S103), the connection clock is set as a communication clock in the firmware update mode (step S105). Then, the communication clock detection process ends.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the optimum communication clock is automatically detected, and the communication between the print controller unit 202 for the firmware update mode and the print engine controller unit 205 is performed using the communication clock. In addition, the download process can be performed at an optimum communication speed, and the communication speed is automatically determined, so that a complicated operation is unnecessary and the convenience of the user is enhanced.

  In the above-described embodiments, the communication method using the clock synchronization method has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be implemented using the communication method using the start-stop synchronization method.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied to the printer 201. However, the download method (control method of the image forming apparatus) according to the present invention is installed in the printer 201. You may comprise so that it may be performed with a control program.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range not changing the gist thereof. For example, in the above embodiment, the firmware is downloaded from the host terminal 101. However, the host terminal 101 (personal computer) does not need to be a download destination, and an IC card is attached to the printer 201. The firmware may be downloaded from the above.

A control program of the image forming equipment Contact and image forming apparatus of the present invention, a printer, fax, copier, is applicable to an image forming apparatus in general such as a multifunction peripheral, in particular, it is made to download the program in a short time Since it becomes possible, various problems, such as a user's operation mistake, can be suppressed.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer 201 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of download processing in the printer 201 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of download processing in the printer 201 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of download processing in the printer 201 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of download processing in the printer 201 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer 201 according to a second embodiment. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of communication clock detection processing in a communication clock detection unit 212 shown in FIG. 6.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Host terminal 201 Printer 202 Print controller part 203 Controller control part 204 Controller communication part 205 Print engine controller part 206 Engine communication part 207 Mode switching part 208 Engine control part 209 Data operation part 210 Flash ROM (Read Only Memory)
211 RAM (Random Access Memory)
212 Communication clock detector

Claims (5)

A print controller unit; and a print engine controller unit connected to the print controller unit via communication means;
The print controller unit
Image data transmission means for creating image data to be printed and transmitting it to the print engine controller unit;
Program transmission means for transmitting to the print engine controller unit a program for controlling the engine unit that prints the image data received by the print engine controller unit;
The print engine controller unit
Engine control means for controlling the engine unit;
Restarting means for restarting the print engine controller unit;
After restarting by the restarting unit, the mode of the communication unit is changed to a printing mode in which the printing of the image data is performed, the printing mode and the communication unit are the same, and the communication speed is different from the print controller unit. Switching means for switching between the program transmission mode in which is transmitted,
When the mode of the communication means is the program transmission mode by the switching means, a program for receiving the program transmitted by the program transmission means and for controlling the engine unit by the engine control means An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that stores and controls the switching unit to switch the mode of the communication unit to the printing mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a communication speed in the program transmission mode is faster than a communication speed in the printing mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of communication clocks in the program transmission mode is higher than the number of communication clocks in the print mode. The print controller unit
A communication speed detecting means for performing a connection check in order from the maximum speed and detecting a communication speed at which connection is possible;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication speed in the program transmission mode is the communication speed detected by the communication speed detection unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a print controller unit; and a print engine controller unit connected to the print controller unit via a communication unit.
Image data transmitting means for creating image data to be printed and transmitting it to the print engine controller unit;
Engine control means for controlling an engine section for printing the image data transmitted by the image data transmission section and received by the print engine controller section;
Firmware transmission means for transmitting firmware for engine control to the print engine controller unit;
Restarting means for restarting the print engine controller unit;
After restarting by the restarting unit, the mode of the communication unit is set to a print mode in which the printing of the image data is performed, and firmware transmission in which the communication is different from the print mode and the firmware is transmitted from the print controller unit. Switching means for switching between modes,
When the mode of the communication unit is the firmware transmission mode by the switching unit, the firmware transmitted by the firmware transmission unit is received and stored in the storage unit, and the mode of the communication unit by the switching unit A control program for an image forming apparatus for causing a printer to function as a control unit that controls to switch to the print mode.

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